Citation

Chapman D, Nilsson K, Larsson A, Rizzo A. Sustain. Cities Soc. 2017; 35: 574-580.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.scs.2017.09.003

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Urban form can moderate the effects of weather on human movement. As such, the interrelationship between built environment, weather and human movement is a critical component of urban design. This paper explores the impacts of weather on non-motorised human movement (soft-mobility). Throughout we look at soft-mobility from the citizen's perspective and highlight the barriers to soft-mobility in winter. The aim of this study was to test the traditional pallet of winter city urban design considerations. Those of solar-access, wind and snow management and explore other weather and terrain conditions that act as barriers to soft-mobility in winter. This study is based on survey responses from 344 citizens in the sub-arctic area of Sweden. Outcomes from the research highlight that rain, icy surfaces and darkness are today's most significant barriers to soft-mobility in winter.

RESULTS from this study link changing barriers to soft-mobility in winter with climate change. The paper concludes that future urban design and planning for winter cities needs to consider a wider pallet of weather conditions, especially rain.

Language: en

Keywords

Walkability; Resilience; Outdoor activity; Urban microclimate; Winter cities